Igniting agent composition, and igniter using the igniting agent composition

ABSTRACT

An igniting agent composition substantially free of a lead compound, characterized in that it comprises a metal power and one or more selected from the group consisting of nitrate salt, basic nitrate salt, a metal oxide and a basic carbonate salt; and an igniter using the igniting agent composition. The igniting agent composition shows no delay in ignition time and no reduction in igniting capability, as compared to conventional lead-containing composition.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an igniting agent compositionfor use in an igniter and the like and an igniter using the ignitingagent composition, and more specifically relates to an igniter that ispreferably applied to a gas generator used for an automobile-use air bagdevice and a seat belt pretensioner and an igniting agent compositionfor use in the igniter.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, with respect to igniters to be attached to a gasgenerator used for a vehicle restraint holding device such as anautomobile-use air bag device and a seat belt pretensioner, thoseigniters of a current-carrying type have been adopted. The igniter ofthis type converts electric energy to heat energy through an arc wire sothat a fuse head, formed by an igniting agent made from an ignitingagent composition and placed in the vicinity of the arc wire, isignited, and a transfer charge and a gas generating agent are burned bythe resulting flame. With respect to the fuse head and the like for usein this current-carrying-type igniter, an igniting agent containing alead compound, such as trinitroresorcin lead, that is ignited with highsensitivity has been used.

[0003] In recent years, in the field of automobile industries, therehave been increasing demands for parts that use neither lead nor leadcompounds in order to improve the environment and also to ensure safetyin production. For this reason, with respect to the igniting agent usedfor the fuse head and the like, there have been demands for thoseproducts containing no lead.

[0004] However, in the case where an igniter using an igniting agent,such as a fuse head, made from an igniting agent composition componentcontaining no lead compound is used, upon application of a predeterminedcurrent, there is a delay from predetermined time in the ignition of thefuse head, causing a problem of degradation in the igniting capabilityto ensure the ignition of the transfer charge and resulting inmisignition in the worst case. For this reason, when the igniter of thistype is applied to a gas generator of an automobile air bag device and aseat belt pretensioner, there might be a delay in expansion anddevelopment.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide an ignitingagent that contains no lead compound, and causes neither delay in theignition time nor degradation in the igniting capability, and an igniterusing the igniting agent.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventors ofthe present invention have studied hard, and found that these problemscan be solved by using a material without containing any lead compound,and thus, the present invention has been completed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In other words, the present invention relates to:

[0008] (1) an igniting agent composition which contains substantially nolead compound, and is characterized by containing at least one kind ortwo or more kinds of materials selected from the group consisting ofnitrate, basic nitrate, metal oxide, metal hydroxide and basiccarbonate, and metal powder;

[0009] (2) an igniting agent composition which contains substantially nolead compound and is used for a fuse head, and which is characterized bycontaining at least one kind or two or more kinds of materials selectedfrom the group consisting of nitrate, basic nitrate, metal oxide, metalhydroxide, basic carbonate, perchlorate and chlorate, and metal powder;

[0010] (3) the igniting agent composition according to (1) or (2),characterized in that the basic nitrate is basic zinc nitrate, basiccobalt nitrate or basic copper nitrate, the metal oxide is copper oxide,the nitrate is copper nitrate, the metal hydroxide is copper hydroxideand the basic carbonate is basic copper carbonate;

[0011] (4) the igniting agent composition according to (1) or (2),characterized in that the metal powder contains at least one kind or twoor more kinds of materials selected from the group consisting ofzirconium, aluminum, magnesium, magnalium, titanium, titanium hydride,iron, tungsten and boron;

[0012] (5) an igniting agent composition which contains basic coppernitrate, characterized by containing zirconium;

[0013] (6) the igniting agent composition according to any one of (1) to(5), characterized by containing a binder as an additive;

[0014] (7) the igniting agent composition according to (1),characterized in that at least one kind or two or more kinds ofmaterials, selected from the group consisting of nitrate, basic nitrate,metal oxide, metal hydroxide, basic carbonate and basic copper nitrate,form particles having a 50% average particle size of not more than 20μm;

[0015] (8) the igniting agent composition according to (2),characterized in that at least one kind or two or more kinds ofmaterials, selected from the group consisting of nitrate, basic nitrate,metal oxide, metal hydroxide, basic carbonate, basic copper nitrate,perchlorate and chlorate, form particles having a 50% average particlesize of not more than 20 μm;

[0016] (9) the igniting agent composition according to (1) or (2),characterized in that the metal powder has a 50% average particle sizeof not more than 10 μm;

[0017] (10) the igniting agent composition according to (1) or (2),characterized in that basic copper nitrate has a content of 15 weight %to 70 weight %, zirconium has a content of 20 weight % to 80 weight %,and a binder component has a content of 2 weight % to 15 weight %;

[0018] (11) an igniter characterizedby using the igniting agentcomposition according to any one of (1) to (10); and

[0019] (12) an igniter characterized by using the igniting agentcomposition according to any one of (1) to (10) as a fuse head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that shows an essential portionof a gas generator in which an igniter according to the presentinvention is used.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a view that shows one embodiment of a fuse headstructure of the igniter according to the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] An igniting agent composition of the present invention containsan oxidizing agent component and a reducing agent component, andcontains substantially no lead compound. Here, the lead compoundnormally refers to an inorganic compound or organic compound thatcontains lead atoms, lead as a single substance, and the like.

[0023] With respect to the component that is used as the igniting agentcomposition of the present invention, among components conventionallyknown in the field of igniting agent, those containing no lead compoundare used, and preferably, the material contains at least one kind or twoor more kinds of components selected from the group consisting ofnitrate, basic nitrate, metal oxide, metal hydroxide, basic carbonate,perchlorate and chlorate, more preferably, at least one kind or two ormore kinds of components selected from the group consisting of basiczinc nitrate, basic cobalt nitrate, basic copper nitrate, copper oxide,copper nitrate, copper hydroxide and basic copper carbonate, and mostpreferably, basic copper nitrate. In general, these compounds serve asoxidizing agents.

[0024] Moreover, with respect to the component that can be used as theigniting agent composition of the present invention for use as a fusehead, among components conventionally known in the field of ignitingagent, those containing no lead compound are used, and preferably, thematerial contains at least one kind or two or more kinds of componentsselected from the group consisting of nitrate, basic nitrate, metaloxide, metal hydroxide, basic carbonate, perchlorate and chlorate, morepreferably, at least one kind or two or more kinds of componentsselected from the group consisting of basic zinc nitrate, basic cobaltnitrate, basic copper nitrate, copper oxide, copper nitrate, copperhydroxide, basic copper carbonate, perchlorate (potassium salt, sodiumsalt, etc.) and chlorate (potassium salt, sodium salt, etc.), and mostpreferably, basic copper nitrate. In general, these compounds serve asoxidizing agents.

[0025] Specific examples include copper nitrate as the nitrate, basiczincnitrate, basic cobalt nitrate and basic copper nitrate as the basicnitrate, copper oxide as the metal oxide, copper hydroxide as the metalhydroxide, and basic copper carbonate as the basic carbonate.

[0026] Moreover, the average particle size of the oxidizing agentcomponent, which gives effects to the ignition time of the igniter, ispreferably set to not more than 20 μm in the 50% average particle size,more preferably, not more than 10 μm.

[0027] Furthermore, the oxidizing agent component normally has a contentin a range of 10 to 80 weight %, more preferably, 15 to 70 weight % inthe igniting agent composition; however, the present invention is notintended to be limited thereto, and these values can be appropriatelyaltered depending on reducing agent components and additives to be used.

[0028] Here, although not particularly limited as long as it can serveas a reducing agent in combination with the above-mentioned oxidizingagent component, the metal powder may be selected from those known asreducing agent components in the igniting agent field as long as itcontains no lead compound; and the metal powder includes one kind or twoor more kinds of materials selected from the group consisting ofzirconium, aluminum, magnesium, magnalium, titanium, titanium hydride,iron, tungsten and boron, more preferably, zirconium.

[0029] Moreover, the average particle size of the reducing agentcomponent, which gives effects to the ignition time of the igniter, ispreferably set to not more than 10 μm in the 50% average particle size,more preferably, not more than 5 μm.

[0030] The reducing agent component normally has a content in a range of15 to 90 weight %, more preferably, 20 to 80 weight % in the ignitingagent composition; however, the present invention is not intended to belimited thereto, and these values can be appropriately altered dependingon oxidizing components and additives to be used.

[0031] Additives may be added to the igniting agent composition of thepresent invention on demand. With respect to the additives to be used,not particularly limited, any additive may be used as long as it isnormally used in the igniting agent field, and in particular, a binderis preferably used. With respect to the binder, examples thereof includenitrocellulose, carboxyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, celluloseacetate butyrate, Biton rubber, GAP (Glycidyl Azide Polymer), polyvinylacetate and silicon-based binder, and polyvinyl acetate is preferablyused.

[0032] The binder is normally set to have a content in a range of 1 to20 weight %, more preferably, 2 to 15 weight % in the igniting agentcomposition; however, the present invention is not intended to belimited thereto, and these values can be appropriately altered dependingon main agent components and reducing agent components to be used.

[0033] The kind and amount of the binder give great effects to processesof manufacturing the fuse head and weather-resistant properties requiredfor the gas generator. Not limited to one kind of binder, two or morekinds of binders may be used in a mixed manner. The binder is added soas to prevent the fuse head from adhering and fixing to the arc wire andpins as well as from separating therefrom, and also to prevent damagesto the fuse head. An excessive amount of the binder makes it difficultto dip the fuse head, failing to provide desired ignition properties. Incontrast, an insufficient amount of the binder makes the fuse head lessresistant to severe environmental conditions that are imposed on the gasgenerator in which the igniter is installed, causing damages to the fusehead and the resulting malfunction in the gas generator.

[0034] With respect to a preferable combination of igniting agentcomponents of the present invention, basic copper nitrate is set to acontent of 15 weight % to 70 weight %, zirconium is set to a content of20 weight % to 80 weight %, and the binder component is set to a contentof 2 weight % to 15 weight %.

[0035] Further, the igniting agent composition of the present inventioncan be obtained by mixing the above-mentioned oxidizing agent andreducing agent as well as an additive that is added on demand.

[0036] The igniting agent composition is prepared as described above,and applied to an igniter in which a fuse head is used.

[0037] In the case where an igniter is manufactured by using theigniting agent composition of the present invention, for example, theigniting agent composition is first formed into a slurry state, and anarc wire is dipped into this slurry a predetermined number of times sothat the igniting agent forms a predetermined thickness, and this isdried and solidified to form a fuse head, and this ball is inserted intoa cup containing an transfer charge to form an igniter.

[0038] When the igniting agent compound is formed into the slurry, asolvent is preferably used, and with respect to the solvent, examplesthereof include acetic acid esters (for example, ethyl acetate, isoamylacetate and isobutyl acetate) or acetone and the like. Here, the amountthereof is appropriately set so as to form a slurry that is suitable forthe dipping process, and it is normally set to 50 to 150 parts byweight, more preferably, 80 to 120 parts by weight, with respect to 100parts by weight of the igniting agent composition.

[0039] Moreover, the igniting agent composition of the present inventionmay also be applied to a glass hermetic-type igniter in which the arcwire is placed on a plug made of glass. In this case, the arc wire onthe glass plug is coated with the slurry of the igniting agentcomposition layer by layer so that a fuse head is formed. Furthermore,it is also applied to an igniter and the like, for example, shown inFIG. 3 of Japanese Utility Model Application No. 10-8167.

[0040] Referring to Figures, the following description will discuss anigniter in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041]FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an igniter S according to thepresent invention. In FIG. 1, the igniter S, which is placed inside acup body 8 indicated by a two-dot chain line in the Figure, is used fora seat belt pretensioner, an air bag device and the like in anautomobile.

[0042] The igniter S is constituted by a tube member 10 having a fittingcylinder portion that is formed into a cup shape by using a metalmaterial such as stainless steel, aluminum and iron, etc. The openingside of the tube member 10 is formed into a shape with steps, which isexpanded in its diameter toward the cup bottom 11, and a fuse hole 12 isformed in the cup bottom 11 with an opening inside the cup body 8.Further, a flange 13, which forms a protruding portion that projects tothe inside of the portion with steps 9 of the cup body 8, is formed. Theflange 13 is made in contact with the inside of the portion with steps 9of the cup body 8 to define a combustion chamber for a gas generatingagent P in combination with the cup body 8. A cup member 14 of theigniter S is inserted into the tube member 10 so that the fuse hole 12is closed by the cup member 14. An transfer charge 15 is housed in thecup member 14 inside the tube member 10.

[0043] A plug 7 is formed into a shape with steps, which includes a plugmain body 17 and a shaft body 16 that is narrowed in its diameter withtwo steps from the plug main body 17, and fitted to the opening side ofthe tube member 10. A plug-use attaching hole 19 which has an opening onthe side opposite to the shaft body 16 is formed in the plug main body17. An attaching groove 21 to which a protrusion 20 placed on theopening side is fitted is formed on the tip of the shaft body 16. Theplug 7 is molded by injecting a material prepared by allowing resin,such as polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon 6,nylon 66, polyphenylene sulfide and polyphenylene oxide, to containglass fiber and the like into a mold (not shown).

[0044] Moreover, respective electrode pins 22 of the igniter S and areinforcing member 26 are integrally formed on the plug 7. Uponinjecting resin into the above-mentioned mold, the respective electrodepins 22 and the reinforcing member 26 are insert-molded to be integrallyformed in the resin of the plug 7.

[0045] The respective electrode pins 22 are placed at the axial centerof the plug 7 in parallel with each other, and allowed to penetrate theshaft body 16 of the plug 7. Further, each of the electrode pins 22 hasa curved shape inside the shaft body 16, and is allowed to project inthe attaching hole 19 of the plug main body 17 and inside the cup member14. The respective electrode pins 22 are made of a conductive materialsuch as stainless steel, an iron-nickel alloy and the like, andelectrically insulated from each other by the resin of the plug 7.Moreover, with respect to the electrode pins 22, in the cup member 14,an arc wire 5 is fused and secured to a steel portion 6 at the tip ofeach of the electrode pins 22 through soldering or the like.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, the fuse head 1 is made by forming ignitingagent layers 2, 3 on the surface of the arc wire 5 made of, for example,a nichrome wire. Moreover, a coat layer is formed on the surface ofthese igniting agent layers 2, 3.

[0047] Each of the igniting agent layers 2, 3, that constitutes the fusehead 1 is formed as follows: a solvent is added to an igniting agentcomposition which is composed of an oxidizing agent component, areducing agent component and an additive that is added on demand, andwhich contains no lead compound, to form a slurry, and the surface ofthe arc wire 5 is coated with this igniting agent in the slurry statewith a predetermined thickness through dipping processes of a pluralityof times so that the igniting agent is dried and solidified thereon.Here, FIGS. 1 and 2 shows two layers of the igniting agent layers;however, only one layer may be used, or three or more layers may be usedon demand.

[0048] After the igniting agent layers 2, 3 have been dried andsolidified, the surface is coated with a vinyl-acetate-based resin orthe like by using a solvent so that a coat layer 4 is formed thereon.This coat layer 4 prevents the igniting agent layers 2, 3 fromseparating from the surface of the arc wire 5. In this manner, theigniting agent composition is formed into the fuse head 1 so that itbecomes possible to obtain the same performances as the fuse head usingan igniting agent containing a lead compound.

[0049] As also shown FIG. 1, the reinforcing member 26, which isconstituted by a metal material such as stainless and SPCC (Steel PlateCold Commercial) and a reinforced plastic made from a thermosettingresin or the like, is formed into a cup shape with a cylinder member 25forming the protruding portion and a ring-shaped plate member 24. Thecylinder member 25 extends toward the opening side of the attaching hole19 along the outer circumference of the plug main body 17. Thering-shaped plate member 24 is placed between the plug main body 17 andthe shaft body 16, and aligned in a direction orthogonal to therespective electrode pins 22. The ring-shaped plate member 24 ispartially exposed from the plug 7 on the outer circumferential side, andintegrally formed into the resin of the plug 7 on the innercircumferential side. Moreover, the portion, partially exposed from theplug 7 of the ring-shaped plate member 24 is allowed to form aprotruding portion together with the cylinder member 25. Thus, thereinforcing member 26 allows the respective electrode pins 22 topenetrate the ring-shaped plate member 24 through inner circumferentialholes 27 formed therein.

[0050] The gas generator having the above-mentioned arrangement ismanufactured, for example, in the following sequence of processes.

[0051] First, the plug 7 is molded by using resin, and simultaneouslywith this molding process, the respective electrode pins 22 and thereinforcing member 26 of the igniter S are insert-molded so as to beintegrally formed with the resin of the plug 7. Successively, the arcwire 5 is fused and bonded between the steel portions 6 at the tips ofthe respective electrode pins 22 of the plug 7. The surface of the arcwire 5 is coated with the above-mentioned igniting agent layers 2, 3 andcoat layer 4 respectively through dipping processes, and these layersare dried and solidified to form the fuse head 1. The shaft member 16 ofthe plug 7 on which the fuse head 1 has been formed is fitted to the cupmember in which the transfer charge 15 is housed so that the igniter Sis integrally formed with the plug 7.

[0052] Subsequently, a seal ring 28 is attached onto the reinforcingmember 26 of the plug 7. This seal ring 28 is placed on the periphery ofthe cylinder member 25 of the reinforcing member 26. The plug 7 is thenfitted into the tube member 10 from the cup member 14 side of theigniter S. At this time, the cup member 14 is inserted to come intocontact with the cup bottom 11 of the tube member 10 so that the fusehole 12 of the tube member 10 is closed. Further, the shaft member 16 ofthe plug 7 is fitted to the opening side in the tube member 10, andinserted to come into contact with the portion with steps 29 of the tubemember 10 so that the flange 13 of the tube member 10 is made in contactwith the ring-shaped plate member 24 and the seal ring 28. Thus, thetube member 10 is assembled onto the plug 7.

[0053] Next, the plug 7 having the tube member 10 assembled thereon isfitted into the cup member 8 from the cup member 14 side of the igniterS so that a gas generator is assembled. In this case, the cylindermember 25 of the reinforcing member 26 is fitted to the opening side inthe cup member 8, and the plug 7 is inserted until the flange 13 of thetube member 10 has come into contact with the inside of the portion withsteps 9 of the cup body 8. Thus, the tube member 10 and the cup member 8are allowed to form a combustion chamber. Moreover, the flange 13 of thetube member 10 is placed between the portion with steps 9 of the cupmember 8 and the ring-shaped plate member 24. In other words, theportion with steps 9 of the cup member 8, the flange 13 of the tubemember 2 and the ring-shaped plate member 24 are placed in this orderfrom the cup bottom side of the cup member 8, and thus, these members 9,13 and 24 are made in contact with each other.

[0054] In this state, the opening edge of the cup member 8 is benttoward the plug side 7, and this bent portion 30 and the portion withsteps 9 are caulked toward the cylinder member 25 of the reinforcingmember 26. Consequently, the portion with steps 9 and the flange 13 ofthe tube member 10 are pressed onto the ring-shaped plate member 24 bythe caulking force so that the seal ring 28 is also deformed to carryout a sealing operation in combination with the cup body 8, the tubemember 10 and the ring-shaped plate member 24. In other words, the plug7 is sealed by the ring-shaped plate member 24 in combination with thecup member 8 and the tube body 10. In this case, even when the caulkingforce is exerted on the plug through the flange 13 of the tube member10, the ring-shaped plate member 24 of the reinforcing member 26prevents the plug 7 from being deformed.

[0055] In this gas generator, upon application of a current to each ofthe electrode pins 22 of the igniter S, the heated arc wire 5 ignitesthe igniting agent layers 2, 3 in succession so that the transfer charge15 is ignited. The flame caused by the ignition of the igniter S isdischarged into the cup body 8 so that the gas generating agent P isignited and burned by the flame, and thus, a great amount of gas isgenerated and directed into the seat belt pretensioner. Consequently,the seat belt pretensioner is activated by the high-pressure gas tofasten the seat belt.

[0056] As described above, the igniter S of the present invention ispreferably attached to the inside of the gas generator that ispreferably used in the seat belt pretensioner, and used therein.

[0057] Here, not limited to the gas generator for use in the seat beltpretensioner, the fuse head of the present invention can be applied toany field in which an electric igniter is used, such as another type ofgas generator for use in an automobile air bag device. Moreover, FIG. 1has exemplified a case in which the plug is made from resin; however, inaddition to the igniter in which the plug is sealed by glass, theigniting agent composition of the present invention may be applied toany igniter as long as it can use a fuse head, so as to form the igniterof the present invention.

EXAMPLES

[0058] The present invention will be described in detail with referringto examples below.

Example 1

[0059] 40 parts by mass of basic copper nitrate, 60 parts by mass ofzirconium and 5 parts by mass of nitrocellulose dissolved in 100 partsby mass of isoamyl acetate were mixed. This mixture was applied onto thesurface of an arc wire, and dried and solidified thereon to form anigniting agent layer, and this surface was coated with vinyl acetatebased resin (made by Eastman Chemicals Ltd.) to form a coat layer sothat a fuse head was prepared, and a plug was fitted to a cup containingan transfer charge to form an igniter.

Example 2

[0060] 50 parts by mass of basic copper nitrate, 50 parts by mass ofzirconium and 5 parts by mass of nitrocellulose dissolved in 100 partsby mass of isoamyl acetate were mixed. This mixture was applied onto thesurface of an arc wire, and dried and solidified thereon to form anigniting agent layer, and this surface was coated with vinyl acetatebased resin (made by Eastman Chemicals Ltd.) to form a coat layer sothat a fuse head was prepared, and a plug was fitted to a cup containingan transfer charge to form an igniter.

Example 3

[0061] 50 parts by mass of basic copper nitrate, 50 parts by mass ofzirconium and 5 parts by mass of polyvinyl acetate dissolved in 100parts by mass of isoamyl acetate were mixed. This mixture was appliedonto the surface of an arc wire, and dried and solidified thereon toform an igniting agent layer, and this surface was coated with vinylacetate based resin (made by Eastman Chemicals Ltd.) to form a coatlayer so that a fuse head was prepared, and a plug was fitted to a cupcontaining an transfer charge to form an igniter.

Example 4

[0062] 50 parts by mass of basic copper nitrate, 50 parts by mass ofzirconium and 10 parts by mass of polyvinyl acetate dissolved in 100parts by mass of isoamyl acetate were mixed. This mixture was appliedonto the surface of an arc wire, and dried and solidified thereon toform an igniting agent layer, and this surface was coated with vinylacetate based resin (made by Eastman Chemicals Ltd.) to form a coatlayer so that a fuse head was prepared, and a plug was fitted to a cupcontaining an transfer charge to form an igniter.

Comparative Example 1

[0063] 50 parts by mass of trinitroresorcin lead, 50 parts by mass ofpotassium perchlorate, 10 mass parts of Biton rubber dissolved in 100parts by mass of isoamyl acetate were mixed. This mixture was appliedonto the surface of an arc wire, and dried and solidified thereon toform an igniting agent layer, and this surface was coated with vinylacetate based resin (made by Eastman Chemicals Ltd.) to form a coatlayer so that a fuse head was prepared, and a plug was fitted to a cupcontaining an transfer charge to form an igniter.

[0064] Igniters described in Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1were respectively attached to igniters of gas generators for use in anautomobile-use seat belt pretensioner, and a current of 0.8 A wasapplied thereto so that the time required for the ignition after thecurrent application (ignition time) was measured, and the ignitioncapabilities were compared. Table 1 shows the results. TABLE 1Composition Ignition time Example 1 1.58 msec Example 2 1.68 msecExample 3 1.26 msec Example 4 1.40 msec Comparative Example 1 1.44 msec

[0065] As clearly shown by Table 1, it was found that Examples 1 to 4had the same ignition capability as Comparative Example 1 using theconventional lead compound (trinitroresorcin lead)

[0066] Industrial Applicability

[0067] By using an igniting agent composition in which basic coppernitrate is used (as an oxidizing agent) and metal powder such aszirconium is also used (as a reducing agent), it becomes possible toprovide a fuse head that has no lead compound content in an ignitingagent layer with an appropriate ignition capability being maintained.Moreover, it is also possible to provide an igniter that uses such afuse head containing no lead compound, and is applied to an air bagdevice and a seat belt pretensioner for use in an automobile.

1. An igniting agent composition which contains substantially no leadcompound, characterized by containing at least one kind or two or morekinds of materials selected from the group consisting of nitrate, basicnitrate, metal oxide, metal hydroxide and basic carbonate, and metalpowder.
 2. An igniting agent composition which contains substantially nolead compound and is used for a fuse head, characterized by containingat least one kind or two or more kinds of materials selected from thegroup consisting of nitrate, basic nitrate, metal oxide, metalhydroxide, basic carbonate, perchlorate and chlorate, and metal powder.3. The igniting agent composition according to claim 1 or claim 2,characterized in that the basic nitrate is basic zinc nitrate, basiccobalt nitrate or basic copper nitrate, the metal oxide is copper oxide,the nitrate is copper nitrate, the metal hydroxide is copper hydroxideand the basic carbonate is basic copper carbonate.
 4. The igniting agentcomposition according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that themetal powder contains at least one kind or two or more kinds ofmaterials selected from the group consisting of zirconium, aluminum,magnesium, magnalium, titanium, titanium hydride, iron, tungsten andboron.
 5. An igniting agent composition which contains basic coppernitrate, characterized by containing zirconium.
 6. The igniting agentcomposition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bycontaining a binder as an additive.
 7. The igniting agent compositionaccording to claim 1, characterized in that at least one kind or two ormore kinds of materials, selected from the group consisting of nitrate,basic nitrate, metal oxide, metal hydroxide, basic carbonate and basiccopper nitrate, form particles having a 50% average particle size of notmore than 20 μm.
 8. The igniting agent composition according to claim 2,characterized in that at least one kind or two or more kinds ofmaterials, selected from the group consisting of nitrate, basic nitrate,metal oxide, metal hydroxide, basic carbonate, basic copper nitrate,perchlorate and chlorate, form particles having a 50% average particlesize of not more than 20 μm.
 9. The igniting agent composition accordingto claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the metal powder has a 50%average particle size of not more than 10 μm.
 10. The igniting agentcomposition according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that basiccopper nitrate has a content of 15 weight % to 70 weight %, zirconiumhas a content of 20 weight % to 80 weight %, and a binder component hasa content of 2 weight % to 15 weight %.
 11. An igniter characterized byusing the igniting agent composition according to any one of claims 1 to10.
 12. An igniter characterized by using the igniting agent compositionaccording to any one of claims 1 to 10 as a fuse head.